Smith Mountain Lake saw artists, live music performances, silent auctions and a feast Feb. 12 as the Water’s Edge Country Club played host to the Grand Winter Gala.
The Grand Winter Gala put “Love In Action” as proceeds from the event went to three local organizations: Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy, Financial Peace University at Trinity Ecumenical and the Agape Center.

Marilyn and April Slocum do not get rid of the old or disabled horses at Slocum’s Appaloosa Ranch in Moneta. They own 84 horses of all ages; the older horses are pushing 40 and some are blind.
“I keep trying to get less, but somehow it doesn’t happen,” Marilyn Slocum said. “The idea is to raise a couple horses each year and turn them into replacements for the horses that retire.”

Some of the Bedford area’s World War II veterans served in the armed forces of America’s allies. One of them is David Mends. Now, 93, Mends lives in Huddleston and he has actually emigrated to the United States twice.